Autism spectrum disorder is a broad range of conditions that can affect a person’s behavior, social skills and communication. ASD affects people in different ways and continues throughout a person’s life.
If you have a loved one or know someone with autism, you are likely well-educated in how it can affect their life and how to best support them. However, the same isn’t true for everyone who interacts with a person with ASD — whether that be friends, teachers, co-workers or even strangers.
Here’s what we know about ASD.
What is autism spectrum disorder?
Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological and developmental condition that can affect a person’s ability to learn, communicate and interact socially. ASD is considered a spectrum disorder because its symptoms and severity vary from one person to another. Some people with autism can go about life entirely independently, while others may require considerable assistance with daily tasks.
According to 2018 data, the CDC reported that roughly 1 in 44 children in the US is diagnosed with ASD. Here are some statistics you may not know about ASD in the US.
It’s important to know that not all people with autism will exhibit the same symptoms. According to a guide created by the American Psychiatric Association to help healthcare providers diagnose mental health disorders, there are three general indications of ASD — difficulty interacting socially, communication problems and limited repetitive behaviors.
Impact of autism on social interactions
Social interaction is how you act or manage certain situations and interact with other people. This includes interpreting social cues, problem-solving and responding.
People on the autism spectrum often have difficulty socializing and reading other people. They may lack motivation in interacting with those around them or experience social anxiety. However, this is not true for all people with ASD — others may enjoy social engagement.
Lack of interest in initiating social interactions
Difficulty maintaining eye contact
Inability to read the nonverbal cues of others
Not being able to view another person’s perspective
Not understanding sarcasm and metaphors
Impact of autism on communication skills
Communication can be defined as meaningful connections between people in which information is passed and processed — it can be verbal or nonverbal. People with autism may find communicating with others challenging. Children with ASD often have difficulty developing language skills and fully understanding what others say. People with ASD may also find nonverbal communication like eye contact, facial expressions and body language challenging.